Markey Website Wins Gold Mouse Award
Congressman Edward Markey’s website, pictured at left, is one of the best in Congress, according to the Congressional Management Foundation.
– Allison Goldsberry
Congressman Edward Markey’s website, http://markey.house.gov/, is one of the best on Capital Hill, according to a report just released by the Congressional Management Foundation.
The Malden Democrat’s site was one of just 36 websites to earn the Gold Mouse Award, and one of only about 100 websites out of more than 600 Congressional websites to receive high marks in the report.
“Our website is a critical tool for providing my constituents with information, not only about my positions, but about how my office can help them interact with the federal government and get involved in the people’s Congress,” said Rep. Markey in a statement.
“One of the key reasons for the awards is to highlight best practices so offices can improve their sites by learning from those doing a good job…Rep. Markey’s website shows that he understands the value of creating a virtual office to reach specific audiences who have come to expect having their needs met online,” said Congressional Management Foundation’s Executive Director Beverly Bell.
Neither of the websites for Senators Kerry or Kennedy were honored by the foundation, and Rep. Markey was the only Massachusetts Congressman to receive an award.
In its report, the foundation says that the most common grade received by Senate websites was a “B,” compared to a “D” for House websites. Sixty-one percent of Democratic members’ websites earned a “C” or better, compared to 55% for Republican members.
The foundation evaluated the websites on several factors, including the quality and tone of the information presented, the usability and navigability of the site,  the site’s look and feel, and the degree to which the site met visitors’ needs.
According to its website, the Congressional Management Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting a more effective Congress.